Cooling Only Patents (Class 222/146.6)
  • Patent number: 11821681
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for cooling fluids, for example beverages or beverage components, are presented. A cooling system or device includes a cold plate of bulk material (e.g., material of high thermal conductivity). A first sensor (preferably temperature sensor) is positioned within the bulk material and communicatively coupled to a processor. A first fluid line is at least partially disposed within the cold plate, having a first inlet entering and a first outlet exiting the cold plate. A second sensor (preferably temperature sensor) is positioned at the first fluid line proximal to the first outlet and communicatively coupled to the processor. The processor compares a sensor reading from the first sensor with a sensor reading from the second sensor, and issues an error report when the difference between the readings is above a threshold, or an individual reading from a sensor is outside of an operational parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Cleland Sales Corporation
    Inventors: James Cleland, Adam Cleland
  • Patent number: 11814279
    Abstract: A water-dispensing device includes a water tank, a dispensing line, a pump configured to draw water from the tank into the dispensing line, an outlet line, a dispensing valve, a spigot downstream of the outlet line and in selective fluid communication therewith via the dispensing valve, and a valveless directional fitting that couples the dispensing line to the outlet line for enabling fluid communication therebetween. The fitting has a hollow main body extending between an inlet port and a dispensing port. The dispensing line is connected to the inlet port and the outlet line is connected to the dispensing port. The fitting has a recirculation port that intersects an interior of the main body. The recirculation port has a smaller diameter than the dispensing port. A recirculation line is connected to the recirculation port and the water tank to place the water tank in fluid communication with the recirculation port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: QUENCH USA, INC.
    Inventor: Andrew Troy Nuttall
  • Patent number: 11753290
    Abstract: A roving beverage dispensing device has a beverage container in a cooled compartment and a flexible beverage dispensing line with connecting means coupling its inlet end to the container. A pressure line is releasably connected to the container and to a source of pressurized gas. An elongated tapping column fixed to the top of the compartment comprises elongated inner channel bringing in communication the interior of the compartment with tapping valve element suitable for receiving a portion of the outlet end of the dispensing line and for controlling the flow of liquid therethrough. The largest diameters of the dispensing line and the connecting means are sufficiently small so that the dispensing line can be introduced from the top end of the tapping column through the elongated channel into the compartment and connected to the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Anheuser-Busch InBev S.A.
    Inventors: Daniel Peirsman, Johan Van Rompaey
  • Patent number: 11339044
    Abstract: A wine taking device used in a wine fresh-keeping device may be shown and described. A first pipe, the first end of the first pipe is connected with the fresh-keeping gas storage tank, a first solenoid valve, a first end of the first solenoid valve is connected to a second end of the first pipe, a second pipe, the first end of the second pipe is connected to a second end of the first solenoid valve, a three-way valve, a first end of the three-way valve is connected to a second end of the second pipe, a second solenoid valve, a first end of the second solenoid valve is connected to a second end of the three-way valve, and a second end of the second solenoid valve is provided with a hollow needle used to reach into the wine bottle to take wine, and connected to the second solenoid valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Yingjia Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Zhongshu Qin, Cuiting Chen
  • Patent number: 11333418
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator including an ice bucket configured to store ice, a transfer member configured to transfer ice stored in the ice bucket, and an ice crushing device provided at an outer side of the ice bucket and configured to discharge cubed ice discharged from the ice bucket without crushing, or to crush and discharge the cubed ice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jin Jeong, Kyoung Ki Park, Kook Jeong Seo, Bong Su Son
  • Patent number: 11230468
    Abstract: A water ejecting apparatus includes a case and a water ejection unit connected to one side of the case. The water ejection unit includes a first lifting cover having a lifting gear extending in an up-down direction, a second lifting cover movably accommodated inside the first lifting cover, a lifting motor coupled to the second lifting cover and configured to interwork with the lifting motor, a water ejection nozzle installed at a lower end of the second lifting cover and configured to eject water, and a light source disposed inside the second lifting cover and configured to output light to a lower side or a side surface of the second lifting cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Minho Kim, Heesang Yoon, Hoon Jang, Dongkoo Han, Hyeonggeun Kim, Keunho Roh, Jongho Park, Younggwan Song
  • Patent number: 11166595
    Abstract: A food processor includes: a main body; and a container that forms a food-containing space for containing food items and is detachably mounted to the main body, wherein the main body comprises a cold energy generator for transmitting cold energy to the container by coming into contact with at least part of the container, with the container mounted on the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: NUC Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jong Boo Kim
  • Patent number: 11149997
    Abstract: A cooling system uses P-traps to address the oil return issues that result from a vertical separation between the compressor and the high side heat exchanger. Generally, the vertical piping that carries the refrigerant from the compressor to the high side heat exchanger includes P-traps installed at various heights to capture oil in the refrigerant and to prevent that oil from flowing back to the compressor. As oil collects in the P-traps, the refrigerant begins to push the oil upwards until the oil reaches the high side heat exchanger. Multiple piping of different sizes may be used depending on a discharge pressure of the compressor. When the discharge pressure is higher, a larger piping may be used direct the oil and refrigerant to the high side heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Heatcraft Refrigeration Products LLC
    Inventor: Shitong Zha
  • Patent number: 11098948
    Abstract: A refrigerator water dispenser includes a shelf having a lower surface. A water dispenser tube is disposed adjacent to the shelf for dispensing water into a container. An actuator support is operably coupled to the lower surface of the shelf. A load cell is disposed on the actuator support, wherein the load cell sends a signal in response to movement by the actuator support. A controller is operably coupled to the load cell, wherein the controller activates a water dispensing sequence to dispense water via the water dispenser tube in response to the signal from the load cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Atishkumar S. Dhage, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Caroline Ruella Paiva Torres, Henrique Keiji Arai Yamaki, Ravi Joshi
  • Patent number: 11100464
    Abstract: Techniques for consolidation of items based on sensor data is provided. For example, an amount of an item may be identified using an electronic sensor associated with an automatic replenishment device. When the amount of the item is greater than a first reorder threshold, the item may not be ordered on behalf of the user until the amount of the item reaches the first reorder threshold. However, when an order for a different item is placed, either by accessing a network document to proactively order the different item or through a reorder schedule based on a consumption rate of the different item, the amount of the first item may be compared with a second reorder threshold. When the amount of the first item is less than the second reorder threshold, a notification may be provided to the user for additionally ordering the second item with the first item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dave Jonathan Lefkow, Samuel Stevens Heyworth, Amirali Virani, Hannah McClellan Richards
  • Patent number: 11034570
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for dispensing and tracking beverages. An identifier associated with a user can be read by an identification device. Beverage availability information for the user can be determined. The beverage availability information can specify categories of beverages that the user is authorized to dispense. Valves can be selected that correspond to the authorized beverage categories. The valves can be enabled to allow the user to dispense beverages from the authorized beverage categories. The quantity of beverages dispensed can be tracked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: DraftServ Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jose Hevia, Tobi Pequignot, Kevin Nye, Hitesh Patel
  • Patent number: 10940449
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to extracting the liquid from a container (such as a bottle of wine) using a needle adapted to pierce the closure of a container of liquid, dispense liquid from the container, and supply an inert gas to the container to help preserve the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Wine Plum, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald G. Hubbard, Jr., Niculae Mustatea, David Andrew Koretz
  • Patent number: 10921054
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a main body having a storage chamber, a door opening or closing the storage chamber, and a dispenser provided at the door. The dispenser includes a dispenser housing that is recessed backward into the door to define a container accommodation space. A control panel unit includes a display part and a dispensing mode selection part. An image corresponding to the dispensing mode selected through the dispensing mode selection part is displayed on the display part as a moving picture by a control from a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jungyeon Hwang, Jiyoung Park, Eunjoo Lee, Kyukwan Choi, Boram Lee
  • Patent number: 10865093
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes a cabinet with a dispensing station. The cabinet includes therein a refrigeration system, a cooling fluid system, and a refrigerated compartment having therein a cooling system and a beverage source coupled with the dispensing station. The cooling fluid system circulates a cooling fluid through the refrigeration system such that the refrigeration system cools the cooling fluid. The cooling fluid system further normally circulates the cooling fluid through the dispensing station to cool beverage therein. The cooling fluid system directs the cooling fluid from the dispensing station to the cooling system when necessary to cool the refrigerated compartment. A beverage fluid system resides in the cooling fluid system between the beverage source and the dispensing station such that the cooling fluid system cools beverage flowing through the beverage fluid system prior to delivery of beverage to the dispensing station for dispensing therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Lancer Corporation
    Inventor: Jun Yang
  • Patent number: 10845114
    Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator including a cabinet forming one of a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment, a main door opening and closing the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment and including a storage space opened forward, a sub door installed on the main door and opening and closing the storage space of the main door, and a dispenser disposed on the sub door and dispensing water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seonil Yu, Kyeongchul Cho, Insun Yeo, Hongsik Kwon
  • Patent number: 10830520
    Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator including a cabinet forming one of a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment, a main door opening and closing the refrigerator compartment or the freezer compartment and including a storage space opened forward, a sub door installed on the main door and opening and closing the storage space of the main door, and a dispenser disposed on the sub door and dispensing water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seonil Yu, Kyeongchul Cho, Insun Yeo, Hongsik Kwon
  • Patent number: 10815116
    Abstract: A draft beer machine comprising a cabinet and a refrigeration circuit inside the cabinet, including a compressor, a condenser, and refrigeration tubes. Beer pipes are also arranged inside the cabinet and a beer tap is fixed to the outside of the cabinet. The outer end of the beer pipes is connected to the beer tap. The refrigeration tube and the beer pipe are wound into a quick cooler of a round or an elliptic cylindrical shape, in a helical manner. The quick cooler comprises at least one mixing layer, which is formed by winding the refrigeration tube and the beer pipe into a round or elliptic cylinder, in an abreast and helical manner. In the same mixing layer, the adjacent beer pipe and refrigeration tube adhere to each other. The adjacent two mixing layers directly adhere or a thermal conductive medium is filled in between the two layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Talos Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Diqing Qiu, Dilin Qiu
  • Patent number: 10737925
    Abstract: A beverage supplementation device for a beverage dispenser, adapted to supplement a beverage flowing from a beverage source to a beverage sink with a plurality of supplementation fluids includes a plurality of beverage conduits, wherein each beverage conduit includes a beverage inlet that is adapted to be coupled to the same beverage source supplying beverage to be supplemented, and wherein each beverage conduit includes an outlet; and at least two supplementation conduits, wherein each supplementation conduit has a supplementation inlet adapted to be coupled to a supplementation source providing at least one supplementation fluid, wherein each supplementation conduit is coupled with a different supplementation source and wherein each supplementation conduit includes an outlet; wherein the outlet of each supplementation conduit is connected to a different beverage conduit; and wherein the outlets of the beverage conduits are coupled with the same beverage sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: RIPRUP Company S.A.
    Inventors: Monique Bissen, Josef Schucker, Christian Schrotshamer, Waldemar Dan
  • Patent number: 10731910
    Abstract: A portable cooler is provided that includes a base that supports a refrigeration unit. The base also supports a plurality of upwardly-extending support poles that accommodate a top portion. The support poles, top portion, and base define a food storage volume that is surrounded by a plurality of insulative walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Inventor: Brad Lockwood
  • Patent number: 10690398
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a main body that defines a storage space, a door configured to open or close the storage space, and a dispenser located in the door and configured to dispense cooled water and purified water. The refrigerator also includes a purified water input part that inputs a command for dispensing the purified water, a cooled water input part that inputs a command for dispensing the cooled water, and a dispensing amount input part that sets an amount of purified water to be dispensed based on the purified water being selected through the purified water input part. The refrigerator further includes a filter device located within the storage space to purify water supplied from a water supply source, and a water tank storing water that has passed through the filter device in a cooled state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jongho Yun, Siyeon An, Kyutae Park, Kyungsoo Park, Seonkyu Kim, Hyokku Kwon, Hangbok Lee
  • Patent number: 10670321
    Abstract: An ice chute for an ice bin that includes a front uncovered portion having an opening through which ice is deposited into the ice bin. The frame may be removably inserted into the ice bin via the opening. Once inserted, a rear portion of the frame is located below a rear covered portion of the ice bin and a front portion of the frame is located at the opening. An inclined ramp extends upward around the front portion of the frame. When the frame is inserted into the ice bin, a top end of the ramp is positioned vertically above the opening. An area defined by the top end of the ramp is larger than an area of the opening. The ramp is sized and configured such that ice on the ramp slides downwards along the ramp and into the opening of the ice bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Inventor: Anthony Vella
  • Patent number: 10584907
    Abstract: A domestic refrigeration appliance includes an ice and/or water-dispensing device for non-crushed ice pieces or ice flakes created therefrom by crushing or water created in the appliance, depending on an operational setting of a medium creation facility. The dispensing device has a user-actuatable dispensing lever movable to start dispensing. An adjustment facility adjusts an operational setting of the creation facility. An input facility has user-actuated controls selecting a medium dispensing type before actuating the lever. A control unit adjusts the adjustment facility depending on a signal created by actuation of a control and associated medium dispensing type, before actuating the lever to change the operational setting of the creation facility if the creation facility coupled with the adjustment facility is positioned in an operational setting different from that required for the selected medium dispensing type. A method of operating the appliance is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Karl-Friedrich Laible, Hans Gerd Keller
  • Patent number: 10565242
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed herein for normalizing heterogeneous information provided in labels processed by Internet of Things (IoT) devices. A device (e.g., an IoT-enabled device) receives an item including label content. The label content includes attributes describing the item. The device determines that at least one of the attributes is not formatted for processing by the device. A request is generated to format the attributes for processing. The request includes the label content and a target language and a target encoding. The request is sent to a network service that translates the label content. The device receives the translated label content from the network service and processes the item according to the translated label content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Debbie A. Anglin, Su Liu, Andrew Ly, Shunguo Yan
  • Patent number: 10562750
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing device dispenses different types of beverages or beverage components. At least one type of beverage is a malt based beverage or beverage component. The dispensing device has multiple supply lines each extending from a corresponding supply source and having a controllable supply line valve as well as a controlling device for sequentially setting the controllable supply line valves. A beverage dispensing device contains multiple beverages or beverage components to be dispensed into a receptacle after every sequence step has been executed and during a single tapping cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Anheuser-Busch InBev S.A.
    Inventors: Daniel Peirsman, Stijn Vandekerckhove
  • Patent number: 10501306
    Abstract: Beverage dispensing assembly, including a tapping column and a tap connected to the tapping column at a first end thereof, wherein the tapping column includes a first and a second channel, in fluid communication near the tap, and a beverage line extending through one of the first and second channels and connected to the tap, wherein the assembly includes a first part and a second part for connecting the tap to the column, the second part at least partly surrounding the first part, wherein the first part is made of a first material and the second part is made of a second material, the second material having a heat conductivity which is higher than the heat conductivity of the first material, wherein the beverage line is connected to the first part and the second part extends into and/or forms part of a wall of a chamber into which the first and second channel open, forming the fluid connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: HEINEKEN SUPPLY CHAIN B.V.
    Inventors: Alfred Josef Donabauer, Peter Henri Samuel Wigman, Helmut Viktor Maria Paulitsch
  • Patent number: 10406461
    Abstract: A water filter system for an appliance includes a filter head assembly, a first appliance control unit positioned proximate the filter head assembly and a water filter having a memory storage unit. The water filter is selectively placed in communication with the first appliance control unit to define a filter use state. The filter use state is further defined by a first potential fluid-flow rate through the water filter and a predetermined lifetime fluid filtration amount. A data transfer mechanism defines a second data-transfer protocol between the memory storage unit and the first appliance control unit when an actual fluid filtration amount of the water filter reaches the predetermined lifetime fluid filtration amount. The second data transfer protocol defines a notification state defined by a second potential fluid flow rate, the second potential fluid flow rate being less than the first potential fluid flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Melissa M. Bippus, Andrew M. Drees, Wyndham F. Gary, Jr., Steven J. Kuehl, Brent A. Rowland
  • Patent number: 10408507
    Abstract: A solar drink holder system includes a hand held thermoelectric temperature controlled beverage receptacle configured to receive and hold a cylindrical beverage container. A Peltier thermoelectric module is coupled to the hand held thermoelectric temperature controlled beverage receptacle and is configured to generate and regulate internal temperature of a beverage held within the cylindrical beverage container. At least one solar panel is hingeably attached to the hand held thermoelectric temperature controlled beverage receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Inventor: John William VanTubergen, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10401080
    Abstract: A method for operating a refrigerator appliance includes operating a dispenser of the refrigerator appliance to initiate a flow of liquid water or ice into a container positioned within a dispensing recess of the dispenser in response to a user input at a user input panel of the refrigerator appliance, receiving one or more signals from a sensor positioned at the dispensing recess after operating the dispenser to initiate the flow of liquid water or ice into the dispensing recess, and detecting a presence of the container in the dispensing recess based at least in part on the one or more signals from the sensor only after operating the dispenser to initiate the flow of liquid water or ice into the dispensing recess. A related refrigerator appliance is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Keith Root, Tyler James Doering, Joseph Thomas Waugh, Andrew Reinhard Krause
  • Patent number: 10375967
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for dispensing liquid yeast in a bakery, including: an inner panel (2) of a refrigerated chamber (6) onto which an inner circuit (20) for the flow of liquid yeast is pre-mounted, wherein said inner circuit is intended to be connected to a liquid yeast vessel (4) and includes a pumping unit (21); an outer panel (1) of a refrigerated chamber (6) onto which a liquid yeast metering device (16) and a metering table (10) are pre-mounted, wherein said metering table is intended to receive a vessel (3) to be filled with an amount of liquid yeast metered by said liquid yeast metering device (16). Said inner panel (2) and said outer panel (1) are structured such as to be attached sandwiched onto the wall (5) of a refrigerated chamber (6) for containing said vessel (4). Said liquid yeast metering device (16) is intended to be connected, through a wall (5) of the refrigerated chamber (6), to said inner circuit (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: LESAFFRE ET COMPAGNIE
    Inventor: Florent Picavet
  • Patent number: 10373418
    Abstract: A vending machine to dispense ice into a container, the vending machine including a body, a container receiving compartment disposed at a front portion of the body to house the container therein, an ice dispensing spout disposed at a top portion of the container receiving compartment to dispense the ice into the container, a start button to cause the ice to be dispensed from the ice dispensing spout, and at least one of a credit card slot, a dollar bill slot, and a coin slot to activate the start button when the vending machine senses that money has been received within the vending machine via the at least one of the credit card slot, the dollar bill slot, and the coin slot, such that the ice is dispensable from the ice dispensing spout when the start button is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Inventors: William Grant, Mira D. Harris
  • Patent number: 10343887
    Abstract: A carbonated drink dispensing system includes a carbonation tank, a CO2 cylinder configured to deliver CO2 to the carbonation tank at a pressure of between 50 psi and 60 psi, a low-pressure pump configured to pump water into the carbonation tank, and a level sensor configured to determine when the water in the carbonation tank has reached a pre-determined level. The low-pressure pump is configured to stop pumping water when the level sensor determines that the water in the carbonation tank has reached the pre-determined level. The low-pressure pump starts pumping water again after a time delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventors: Gurmeet Singh Bhutani, Rahul Sadashiv Kamble, Amandeep Singh Gulati
  • Patent number: 10301164
    Abstract: A portable beverage dispensing system is disclosed. The portable beverage dispensing system includes a reservoir container with an internal volume for holding a beverage. The beverage dispensing system also includes a pressure unit accessory and a dispensing mechanism accessory that detachably and interchangeably attached to accessory attachments on the reservoir container that are in fluid communication with the internal volume of the reservoir container. The pressure unit accessory includes a pressure regulator and a removable gas canister for pressurizing the reservoir container and dispensing the beverage through the dispensing mechanism accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Inventors: Brett LeBeau Jordan, John Stevenson Patrick, David Patrick Stringer, Katalin Gera Myrick
  • Patent number: 10280059
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing device including a base having a support plate is disclosed. The device has a peripheral wall jutting out of the bottom of the support plate and extending along the perimeter of the support plate defining with the bottom surface an inner volume of the base. A source of pressurized gas is lodged in the inner volume of the base, with a device for connecting the source of pressurized gas to the interior of a beverage container outside the inner volume of the base. An elongated tapping column extends normal to the top surface of the base, having an elongated inner channel bringing in fluid communication the inner volume with a tapping valve head located at the opposite top, outlet end of the tapping column. The height of the peripheral wall allows the beverage dispensing device to dispense beverages when standing on the top surface of a counter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Anheuser-Busch InBev S.A.
    Inventors: Daniel Peirsman, Sarah Van Hove, Johan Van Rompaey
  • Patent number: 10252902
    Abstract: An appliance for dispensing a beverage is disclosed. The appliance has a housing that defines an inner space for a beverage keg. The keg extends along a gravitational direction, X1, parallel to the gravity field, from a top position to a bottom position, wherein the top position is higher in the gravity field than the bottom position when the appliance is in use. A pressure unit pressurizes the interior of the keg. A tap unit dispenses beverages from the keg driven by pressure. A cooling unit cools the beverage in the keg. The cooling unit is suitable for cooling a specific cold area of the keg's outer wall to a temperature lower than any other point of the keg. The cold area of the keg is located in the top third portion of the keg according to the X1 direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Anheuser-Busch InBev S.A.
    Inventors: Daniel Peirsman, Stijn Vandekerckhove
  • Patent number: 10239086
    Abstract: The garden fountain includes a lower container, a middle container and an upper container. A water pump positioned in the lower container pumps water up into the middle container. The upper container rests in the middle container. Using a combination of the water level in the middle container and the spacing of the bottom of the upper container with respect to the water level in the middle container, the user can accurately control the water flow to the upper container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Inventor: John O. Yeiser, IV
  • Patent number: 10240361
    Abstract: Apparati and methods for dispensing sanitizer fluid via handles on doors and equipment, and data and recording events pertaining to hand sanitization, are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Altitude Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Roman Oshmyansky, Jacob Vincent McKnight, Richard James Gilbert, Adam Wilmore Paterson, Matthew David Laws
  • Patent number: 10215478
    Abstract: A water valve, in which a water film is formed when the water valve connected to a water tank provided at a refrigerator door is opened and then closed and thus water film sealing is established downstream of an opening/closing surface of the water valve, thereby preventing dripping of water remaining in the water valve, enabling a clean use, and a refrigerator using the water valve. A valve body structure, in which a tube for guiding a flow of water toward a portion where a water film is to be formed between a nozzle and a valve is provided at the valve and an opening for releasing a water pressure even when the flow of water excessively concentrates, and thus, the water flowing through the opening may join a mainstream of the water discharged through a water passing hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Chanju Pae
  • Patent number: 10215482
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a main body having a storage chamber, a door opening or closing the storage chamber, and a dispenser provided at the door. The dispenser includes a dispenser housing that is recessed backward into the door to define a container accommodation space. A control panel unit includes a display part and a dispensing mode selection part. An image corresponding to the dispensing mode selected through the dispensing mode selection part is displayed on the display part as a moving picture by a control from a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jungyeon Hwang, Jiyoung Park, Eunjoo Lee, Kyukwan Choi, Boram Lee
  • Patent number: 10137032
    Abstract: Apparatus for generating, at a target ice/liquid ratio with a corresponding target temperature, a slush comprising frozen and non-frozen liquid comprises a flow path for recirculation of liquid therethrough, the flow path comprising a heat exchanger having a coolant inlet and a coolant outlet, the heat exchanger being configured for flow therethrough of coolant at a temperature below the target temperature, the apparatus being configured to vary the rate of coolant flow through the heat exchanger between a first rate and a second rate that is lower than the first rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: 42 TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: Finbarr Charles Williamson, Roderick Andrew Haines, Simon Philip Jelley
  • Patent number: 10130008
    Abstract: An immersion cooled electronic arrangement includes a sealed housing, a coolant contained within the housing, and an electronic device submerged within the coolant. An agitator is disposed within the housing to control passive heat transfer between the electronic device and the coolant. An immersion cooling system and related method are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Shepard, Kris H. Campbell
  • Patent number: 10101080
    Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus includes a dispenser for dispensing water or ice into a receiver vessel. The dispenser includes a dispense command input for receiving a dispense command from a user and a code reader for interpreting an identification code associated with the receiver vessel. At least one controller is operatively connected to the dispense command input to receive the dispense command, and to the code reader to receive a vessel identification based on the interpreted identification code. The at least one controller controls the dispensing. A memory is configured to store the vessel identification in association with a usage parameter for the vessel. The at least one controller determines whether water/ice has been previously dispensed into the receiver vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Willis, Kurt Froehlich
  • Patent number: 10093530
    Abstract: A beverage making machine may be arranged to cool a precursor liquid in a tank using a cooling liquid in a cooling container disposed around the tank. The cooling liquid may be freezable to form ice, e.g., to provide the system with improved cooling capacity and/or speed. A plurality of fins may extend between the tank and the cooling container, with each of the plurality of fins being physically attached to the cooling container or the tank and being arranged to conduct heat from the tank and/or from the cooling liquid. The plurality of fins may include first portions attached to the tank and extending outwardly, and second portions attached to the cooling container and extending inwardly. Side surfaces of corresponding first and second portions may be in contact with each other to aid in transferring heat via the fin portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Bedford Systems LLC
    Inventors: Steven Mackey, Pranav Chopra, Scott Grubb, Thomas Fedorka, Jeremy B. Gordon, Stephen Hingston
  • Patent number: 10066861
    Abstract: An ice piece release system that includes a chilled compartment set at a temperature below 0° C., a warm section at a temperature above 0° C., and a tray in thermal communication with the chilled compartment. The tray includes a plurality of ice piece-forming receptacles and a cavity in thermal communication with the receptacles. The ice piece release system also includes a primary reservoir assembly in thermal communication with the warm section and fluid communication with the cavity of the tray. The ice piece release system further includes a heat-exchanging fluid having a freezing point below that of water, and the fluid resides in the primary reservoir assembly and the cavity of the tray. The primary reservoir assembly is further adapted to move at least a portion of the heat-exchanging fluid in the reservoir assembly into the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Corey M. Gooden, Steven John Kuehl
  • Patent number: 9938127
    Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus including a storage tank. At least one ice body is formed proximate the top portion of the storage tank. The ice body is formed in an icemaker configured to produce an ice body through direct contact with an evaporator coil and does not use cold air, or formed directly on a portion of the top portion of the storage tank using evaporator coils extending around a perimeter of the storage tank. The water is then configured to be carbonated and then dispensed to a user upon a user command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Kuehl, Marcos Heinzle, Gustavo Lazzaris de Bona, Nihat Cur
  • Patent number: 9902604
    Abstract: A dispensing unit is operatively associated with a refrigeration appliance for selectively dispensing water and ice at a dispensing station. The dispensing unit includes an actuator that is movable to selected positions in order to support the dispensing of the water and ice. The dispensing unit can include a passageway through which ice is dispensed, and an ice door can be provided for selectively opening and closing the passageway to the dispensing of ice. In one aspect, the ice door can be opened and closed mechanically and in another aspect, the ice door can be opened and closed electromechanically. The dispensing unit also can provide for the position of a water-dispensing nozzle to be adjusted for the purpose of dispensing water to receptacles outside a recessed area at which the nozzle is located and to provide for the activation of illuminating devices to indicate operating conditions at the refrigeration appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jorge Carlos Montalvo Sanchez, Thomas W. McCollough, Nilton Carlos Bertolini, Travis McMahan, Justin Morgan
  • Patent number: 9879903
    Abstract: A refrigeration device including a heat-insulated housing, which contains a storage compartment, a water tank, a fan for propelling a stream of cold air that passes through an evaporator and a distribution unit for the controlled distribution of the stream of cold air along at least two circulation paths, the first of which is in closer thermal contact with the water tank than the second.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Buchstab, Irene Dumkow, Adolf Feinauer, Klaus Flinner, Bernd Heger, Peter Nalbach, Kasim Yazan
  • Patent number: 9670050
    Abstract: A thermoelectric wine pouch cooler/dispenser apparatus powered by household current has a thermally insulated cabinet that sits on a countertop or other flat surface and has a thermoelectric cooling system. The cabinet has at least one thermally insulated compartment that receives a removable bag support housing containing a collapsible flexible wine-filled bag from a “bag-in-box” wine container and its dispensing valve. The bag support housing includes a spring biased plate to facilitate emptying of the contents of the bag. The temperature of each compartment is individually controlled by a digital temperature controller and a thermoelectric cooling assembly which includes a fan and a cold plate engaged on a thermally conductive heat transfer block at the top of each compartment which engages the bag support housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Inventors: Calvin Casher, Labata Casher
  • Patent number: 9642379
    Abstract: A machine for making and dispensing ice creams, comprises in combination: a container designed to contain a basic mixture for converting it into ice cream; a mixer and a refrigeration system, operatively associated with said container respectively for mixing said basic mixture and for cooling said basic mixture in such a way as to convert it, in the container, into ice cream; a control and operating unit, operatively associated with said refrigeration system for controlling activation and deactivation of said refrigeration system and for regulating its cooling thermal power at least between a first, production thermal power and a second, preservation thermal power which is lower than said first, production thermal power, said control and operating unit being designed to allow said refrigeration system to be activated at the second, preservation power when said container is substantially empty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: ALI S.P.A.-CARPIGIANI GROUP
    Inventors: Andrea Cocchi, Roberto Lazzarini
  • Patent number: 9601881
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a refrigerator including a refrigerator main body having an opening, a door connected to the refrigerator main body and configured to open and close the opening, a storage unit configured to be moved toward a rear wall within the refrigerator main body so as to be installed in the refrigerator main body, the rear wall facing the opening, a power supply unit mounted at the rear wall and having an accommodating portion formed to face the opening, and a connection unit mounted at the storage unit, wherein when the storage unit is moved to the rear wall and installed in the refrigerator main body, at least part of the connection unit is inserted into the accommodating portion so as to be electrically connected to the power supply unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Seungho Lee, Jaeyoul Lee
  • Patent number: 9580294
    Abstract: A system for verifying a container of a material before the material is transferred to a process. The system includes a conduit that extends through a mouth of the container. The conduit is supported by an arm that moves between a first position in which the conduit extends through the mouth, and a second position in which the conduit is removed and moved away from the mouth. A reading device extracts information about the container from an information storage element. A computer program receives input regarding the extracted information, receives input regarding the process, and determining whether the container is correct for the process. The program prevents the arm from moving to the first position, and only if the container is determined to be correct does the program allow the arm to move to the first position so that the material can be transferred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: Brewer Science Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Lewis, Kevin Edwards